Meta, the social media company behind Facebook, is revamping its Horizon Worlds virtual reality app in an effort to attract a larger audience. Horizon Worlds is Meta’s free virtual reality social network that allows users to create avatars and interact with others. To make the platform more captivating, Meta has established an in-house studio called Ouro Interactive, which will focus on creating first-party virtual reality games, according to Vishal Shah, Meta’s Vice President of Metaverse. In an interview with the Lowpass technology newsletter, Shah revealed that the studio’s first VR game, called Super Rumble, was released recently. This game reportedly showcases superior graphics and fidelity compared to other VR games available on Horizon Worlds.
Meta’s plans for Horizon Worlds go beyond just introducing new games. They aim to create “the next generation of Horizon Worlds,” as Shah explained. The company is enhancing the infrastructure of the VR platform to support higher-quality and more complex games, providing additional tools for third-party developers in the process. Meta intends to offer a wide range of compelling content as users join Horizon Worlds, both through in-house development and collaborations with external studios. This strategy will ensure that users have access to engaging content from the moment they enter the platform.
Meta also envisions Horizon Worlds functioning as a bridge between smartphones and its Quest VR headsets when it releases a mobile version of the app. This move will enable users to seamlessly connect their mobile devices to the immersive VR experience provided by Meta’s VR headsets. Shah emphasized that Meta is transitioning from being solely VR-focused to adopting a “VR first” approach, indicating the company’s commitment to expanding its accessibility and user base.
The revamp of Horizon Worlds comes at a critical time for Meta, as highlighted by its recent earnings report. The report revealed a $3.7 billion operating loss in Meta’s Reality Labs units, despite generating $276 million in revenue. Since the start of 2022, the Reality Labs division has incurred losses exceeding $21 billion. These figures underscore the significant investment required to develop VR and augmented reality technologies necessary for building a compelling metaverse.
The Quest for Mainstream Success
Horizon Worlds represents Meta’s attempt to create a digital playground similar to Roblox, attracting users who seek gaming experiences and social interactions within a 3D environment. However, the platform has not yet achieved mainstream success, with reports suggesting that it currently has fewer than 200,000 monthly active users. This low user engagement highlights the general lack of enthusiasm for VR among the public.
Meta is intensifying its efforts to enhance Horizon Worlds by including more virtual reality games. By establishing an in-house studio and collaborating with external developers, the company aims to offer a diverse range of high-quality content. The upcoming mobile version of the app will bridge the gap between smartphones and VR headsets, making Horizon Worlds more accessible to a broader audience. Nevertheless, Meta faces significant financial challenges in its quest to establish a compelling metaverse, and the success of Horizon Worlds relies on the company’s ability to resonate with a larger user base.
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